A Happy Man | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 16, 1860

A Happy Man.

A ZEALOUS divine, who had prayed earnestly that God would teach him the perfect way of truth, was directed to go to a certain place, where he would find an instructor. When he came to the place, he found a man in ordinary attire, to whom he wished a good morning.

“I never had a bad morning,” replied the man.

“That is very singular. I wish you may always be so fortunate.”

“I was never unfortunate,” said he.

“I hope you will always be as happy,” said the divine.

“I am never unhappy,” said the other.

“I wish,” said the divine, “that you would explain yourself a little.”

“That I will cheerfully do,” said he. “I said that I never had a bad morning; for every morning, even if I am pinched with hunger, I praise God. If it rains, or snows, or hails; whether the weather be serene or tempestuous, I am still thankful to God; and therefore I never have a joyless morning. If I am miserable in outward circumstances, and despised, I still praise God. You wished that I might always be fortunate; but I cannot be unfortunate, because nothing befalls me, but according to the will of God; and I believe that his will is always good, in whatever he does or permits to be done. You wished me always happy; but I cannot be unhappy, because my will is always resigned to the will of God.”